Sixteen BGM students were recently inducted into the National Honor Society recently. Pictured are, from left, front row: Amelia Davis, Ellie English, Hayden Bockenstedt, Mya Beck, Aubrie Holder, Payton Manatt, Cara Arment, Emerson Minnaert. Back row: Madelynn Doty, Carter Tuttle, Graysen Berry, Emmitt Albers, Ellis Petsche, Isaiah Williams, Jake Bosenbert and Kaylin Hatfield.

      Ryan “Homer” Jones of Grinnell shows one of his recent abstract paintings at the Solace Center. Jones has been painting for about 3.5 years and is working to get his artwork out to the public.

 by J.O. Parker

​        Ryan “Homer” Jones is finding a new lease on life in Grinnell. 
      After years of personal struggles, Jones has learned to deal with life’s challenges through his paintings.  About 3.5 years ago, Jones started creating abstract paintings.  When asked why he chose abstract paintings, Jones said, “I can let out my past in my artwork. I grew up a little rough and had some drug issues that I really don’t want to go back to again.”
       Eight years ago, Jones, who is from Barberton, Ohio, reconnected with an uncle who lived in Grinnell at the time.
        “He helped me get my life back in order,” said Jones of his uncle.
       But things really took off for Jones when he met Kent Reed, founder of American Brawn and their Grinnell Solace Center. The center is located at 528 Main Street on the third floor, accessible with aid of an electric chair. The Solace Center was founded about two years ago. It is a place where Grinnell-area veterans and first responders and others who need some quiet time with peers and a helping hand in life can have a safe space to paint, play music, read, write or just chat with someone.  
        The center is open on Thursdays from 6 – 8 p.m. and drop-ins are welcome. 
       One evening in April 2024 it was raining. Reed was outside locking up the Solace Center when Jones rode by on a bicycle. They struck up a conversation and Reed mentioned to Jones that some of the participants at the Solace Center were painting and invited Jones to participate. 
       Jones came the next week, on a break from work, and brought a painting to give to Reed. Since that time, he has been a weekly fixture at the Solace Center.
       Since the two met, Reed has been helping Jones get his abstracts out to the public. Some of his work is on display at the Grinnell Craft Brewhouse.
       Just a couple weeks ago, Reed helped Jones set up a booth at the Iowa Largest Arts and Craft Show in Des Moines, where he was able to display and sell his work.
       “Mr. Reed has helped me get my life back together,” said Jones.
Jones’ paintings sell for between $200 - $500.
      When not painting, Jones works as a cook at Hometown Heroes and Prairie Canary restaurants in Grinnell.
      “I have a design background,” said Reed. “I’m amazed that every piece has good consistency, balance and color when Homer is entirely self-taught.”
       As for the future, Jones hopes to offer his paintings at more Iowa art shows and on-line. 
     “We plan to hit three or four shows this year and see if Homer can find a market for his artwork,” said Reed.
     Jones can be contacted on Facebook at homerspaintsjones and on Instagram at HomerisAbstract.Ig. You can also by email Jones at [email protected] or by phone at 234-542-7268. You can also stop up at the Solace Center any Thursday from 6 – 8 p.m. to see his work and tour the studio.

        DJ Monte Wenger of Victor smiles as he plays a tune at a recent car show. Wenger is known throughout the area for being a top DJ at car shows. This year he has booked 17 shows from early June through early October. Submitted photo.

​By J.O. Parker
 
       Monte Wenger slips a CD in the player, grabs the microphone and announces the classic tune as he interacts and entertains the crowd.
         Wenger, owner of Klassic Kar-tunes by Monte, a DJ service based in Victor, has been a fixture at area car shows since 2006.
         It all started that year when a neighbor, Nick Simmons, asked if Wenger would be interested in serving as a DJ at an upcoming car show.
         Simmons, along with a friend, Maynard Weiss, where planning a car show in Victor and they were in a need of a DJ. 
          “We had a good idea of what we wanted to do with our show,” said Simmons. “A good DJ can really help a car show be successful.”
          Simmons knew that Wenger had worked as a DJ for a number of years in Marengo, so he decided to ask if he was available.
         “One day he was driving up the street and I asked if he could DJ our car show,” Simmons said. “He didn’t so no, but said he’d get back to me.”
          Wenger had givin up DJ work in 2000 after about a dozen years, so the offer came as a surprise.
        “Within a few days, he called me back and said he would do it,” recalled Simmons. “Monte didn’t have the equipment, so he took it upon himself to borrow some to use at our show.”
         Simmons said the day of our show came and they were able to pull it off.
       “Monte pretty much orchestrated our show, announcing sponsors and the award winners,” Simmons said. “I believe he has been buying equipment ever since.”
          As his business grew, Wenger came up the business name, Klassic Kar-tunes by Monte.
         “It just popped in my head and I asked friends about the name and they said to go for it,” noted Wenger.
        The business continues to grow in the years since that first show. This year, Wenger has 17 shows booked for 2026. Here’s his current car show itinerary.
        Hartwick Car Show, June 6; Walker Car Show, June 13; Brooklyn Ruritan Club Car Show, June 14; What Cheer Car Show, June 20; Victor Car Show, June 27; Williamsburg Car Show (New), June 28; Marengo Car Show, July 3; Mount Vernon Car Show, July 11; Gilman Car Show (NEW), July 18; Chelsea Car Show, July 25; Ninth Shriners Car Show, Hiawatha (NEW), Aug. 9; Grinnell Vintage Auto Club, Aug. 22; Blairstown Sauerkraut Days Car Show, Sept. 5; Montour Car Show, Sept. 12; Vinton Cruise, Sept. 19 and Montezuma Car Show, Sept. 26. Details of a final show of the season during second weekend of October are currently in the works.
        When asked about his success, Monte, who grew up in Brooklyn, said the key is interacting with car show attendees.
       “I have to read my audience,” noted Wenger. “Each show is very diverse from different interests and ages.”
       He also puts in plugs for local and area sponsors and car show hosts along with handling the awards ceremony and interacting with those who stop to visit.
         “I like  to run the show like a radio DJ,” he said.
         On car show days, Monte arrives at the show about two hours early.
       “I get to the shows at least two hours before registration and do the sound checks because there are always people coming early,” noted Wenger.
          Monte’s music library includes 400 CDs and probably 20,000 songs on a hard drive.
          “That is just guess,” he said.
          He said classic rock and 1970s tunes are his favorite.
          When asked what his favorite part of being a DJ Wenger said it’s the people.
         “I’m a car guy and meeting the people and developing friendships is my favorite part of working as a DJ,” he said.

     Beau Burns, the BGM Quarterback, listens to advice from his dad and head football coach, Jerod Burns during a game against Madrid on Sept. 12. Burns, who amassed 2,181 yards and 36 touchdowns during the season, has been selected to play in the Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star Game on Saturday, July 25 at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls.

By J.O. Parker
            
         Two senior high school football players with Poweshiek County ties have been selected to participate in the 2026 Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star Game this summer.
       Beau Burns, a quarterback at BGM, along with Jack Gallagher, an outside linebacker with the Grinnell Tigers, will represent the south team in the game.
         The Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star Classic game is an annual football game played each July featuring 92 of the best football players in the state of Iowa. The game pits the best players from the south against the best players from the north.
        More than 5,000 players, cheerleaders and coaches have participated in the Iowa Shrine Bowl since its founding in 1972.
         “This event has brought together exceptional athletes who not only achieved great accomplishments on the field, but were also excellent students and continue to be team leaders and pillars in their community,” noted information on the game. “We are excited to re-connect and re-engage nearly a half-century of players, cheerleaders, and coaches that have made the Iowa Shrine Bowl, the #1 Shrine Bowl in the United States.”
To date, the Iowa Shrine Bowl has raised nearly $4 million for Shriners Children’s Hospital.
Following is an overview of the two players
 
Beau Burns – BGM High School
         Beau Burns quarterbacked the Bears to a 7-3 season in Class A 11-man football and a second round playoff finish.
         Burns finished the season with 36 touchdowns, including an 84-yard bomb. He had 229 carries and 2,181 total yards.
            When asked about the opportunity to play in the Shrine Bowl, Burns said it’s a great honor and that he is extremely thankful and grateful to be selected.
            “I am very excited to make an impact on the Shriner’s Hospital children,” noted Burns.
            Throughout his prep career, Burns has been under the guidance of his dad, long-time BGM Coach Jerod Burns.
            When asked what it was like playing for his dad, Burns said he was grateful and that he wasn’t too hard him.
            In addition to football, Burns plays basketball, golf and baseball. 
           As for the future, Burns plans to attend either Cornell or Central where he plans to study education and kinesiology (strength and conditioning training).
 
Jack Gallagher, Grinnell High School
        Jack Gallagher graduates this spring after a stellar prep football career on the defensive line as an outside linebacker for the Grinnell Tigers.
When asked about being selected to the Shrine Bowl, Gallagher said it’s a great honor to be asked to play in the game.
          He finished the regular season with a 4-5 record and individually garnered 42.5 tackles, including 30 solo tackles, five tackles for losses and one sack.
          When Gallagher suits for the Shrine Bowl, he will playing for his late mom, Jodie, who passed away in 2020 from cancer. He will also be playing for his family, who has helped him get through it all.
          “She passed away when I was in sixth grade,” said Gallagher. “I’ve learned to accept it. It has been tough. We have a lot of family to lean on.”
           Gallagher said earlier this year he and a few other players went to the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine in Altoona to meet the 2025 Shrine Bowl Queen from last year.
           “It was interesting to hear her story and what adversities she has overcome,” said Gallagher.
          “I’ve played football all my life,” he added. “It is a team sport. You are always playing with the guy next to you. It has been a passion of mine all my life.”
           It’s a great honor to be asked to play in the game, he went on to say.
          “I’m just excited for the opportunity,” noted Gallagher.
          In addition to football, Gallagher played basketball and ran track at Grinnell.
        As for the future, Gallagher will suit up in the fall for the Simpson College Storm. He’s not sure if he will be redshirted or not, but either way, he’s excited about this next step in his football career. His plans are to study elementary education and physiology.
Shrine Bowl Game Info
         The 54th playing of Iowa Shrine Bowl will occur on July 25, 2026 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Players and cheerleaders from across the state of Iowa will attend camp in the days leading up to the game. During camp week, the players and cheerleaders prepare for the game, build lasting friendships, and have opportunities to learn about the impact they can have on less fortunate children. The highlight of Shrine Bowl week is the Shriners’ Children Mini-Camp. Hospital patients from across the Midwest join the players on the UNI Dome field and interact, play games, and share stories. On the eve of the Shrine Bowl game, the Shriners celebrate all of the game participants and their families at an Honors Banquet.
         Other activities include a Bowling Extravaganza, a trip to Lost Island Park followed by a picnic, a hog roast at Reinbeck VFW and a host of other events.
           On the day of the game, a parade featuring the 2026 Iowa Shrine Bowl King & Queen, the 2026 Shrine Bowl players, cheerleaders and coaches, joined by Shriners from across Iowa, will be held. The game gets underway at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 25. Doors open at 2 p.m.

        Grinnell Tigers outside linebacker Jack Gallagher will participate in the 2026 Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star Game on Saturday, July 25. “I’m just excited for the opportunity,” noted Gallagher.